Part of the battle in planning your dream wedding is finding the perfect location for you and your spouse. Each venue has their own set of rules and accommodations that you’ll need to ask about before putting in your deposit. Below are some of our suggested questions to ask your venue before booking!

How many people can the venue accommodate? Make sure that there is enough space for each of your guests so you and them can enjoy the space comfortably. No one wants to be stuffed into a small room with barely any space to move around and dance?

How long is the space available for and are there any overtime fees if people stay longer? Sometimes this line isn’t drawn clearly and you can end up with extra charges you weren’t expecting after the event ends.

What is the payment schedule? Ask how much the whole deposit is, when it is due and if it is refundable in case of an emergency. You should also ask about their cancellation policy because if you cancel far enough in advance, you might be able to get the full refund... If it’s too late, they most likely will keep all or a portion of your money.

Can things be moved around in case of inclement weather? Here in Southern California, the weather is pretty consistent. But sometimes the rain can surprise us! Go ahead and make a plan with your wedding planner and venue just in case you have to move your beautiful outdoor ceremony indoors.

What time can vendors start setting up? Can you do it the day before, night before, morning of, a few hours before, etc.? You should also ask each vendor their preference on loading and set up times. Be sure to ask about loading zones and storage if your vendors are bringing in cases of lights and other large objects.

Does it have an in house caterer or do you have to provide your own? This is an important question if you are providing your guests with food because sometimes it can be easier to use their in house caterer (since they already have a full kitchen available). Some caterers charge extra if they have to bring in fridges and stoves into your venue so be mindful of that!

Is the venue licensed to provide alcohol? Some venues aren’t licensed to have alcohol on their premises so if you plan on having drinks at your reception, make sure it is legal to even have them on the property!

Do you have a preferred vendor list or can I bring in my own vendors? Some venues have strict rules regarding vendors other than their preferred ones so it is worth it to ask them in advance before you start putting deposits on florists, bakers and decorators!

Is the site handicap accessible? If you’re planning on having anyone at your wedding that may need this type of accessibility, make sure to ask about the best way to get them into your ceremony and/or reception so they don’t miss out on any of the fun.

If you are having an outdoor wedding, be sure to ask about special permits you may need to use the space and how to apply for them. You'd be surprised at how many you may need for something like a beach wedding!

So, if you've been thinking about having a beach wedding in Southern California, my advice? Do it! You won't regret it! Since Illuminated Events has embarked on it’s new journey as an all-inclusive “one stop shop”, we’ve been able to do some of those beautiful SoCal weddings on the beach that I’ve always envisioned in my head.Coming from rural Virginia, taking the leap into becoming a full blown California girl has definitely been an adventure. However, I do have to say, coming from someone who would travel 4 hours to get to the beach, to now being able to hop in my car on a whim and be there in 10 minutes is pretty amazing! In Virginia, there is a brief window of opportunity to have a beach wedding, May to September, thats it! Anything before that or after that and you better wear a parka over your dress or you will freeze your butt off!

Gorgeous, isn’t it?!I think one of my favorite things about beach weddings are the open tents with chiffon draping, the soft romantic lighting and of course the sound of waves crashing in the background. They are so romantic and always look classy. Add a chandelier and you’ve gone from simple romance to utter elegance.

For all the brides-to-be that want to have a beach wedding- hiring a wedding planner is a must! But not just any wedding planner, find one that knows about all the hidden spots at the beaches and all the beautiful parks that overlook the ocean so you can have your wedding there. There are permits that you’ll need to get from the county and liability insurance that you’ll need to provide so this is one of the main reasons you’ll want a wedding planner and eliminate the headache. Hopefully, they will already have one and can just book the date and enjoy a beautiful beach wedding you and your guests will never forget!

Are you on a tight budget? Looking to cut down on some of the big expenses? Have your ceremony and reception at the same location. It will cut down on multiple costs. More than likely the venue can do a package deal to include the ceremony site for little to no cost extra, as long as you book your reception at the same place. This will also cut down on your transportation cost, since you won’t need to hire a car to take yourself and your guests from your ceremony site to your reception.

By cutting down on this huge expense you now have money left in your budget that you can spend on that party favor you are dying to have, or the upgrade to your lighting package!